Reign

by Alaska Angelini

  REIGN

  Marko Delacroix #5

  Best Selling Author

  Alaska Angelini

  REIGN

  Marko Delacroix #5

  Best Selling Author

  Alaska Angelini

  Copyright © 2016 by Alaska Angelini

  ISBN:

  All Rights Reserved

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. The snugabug scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and is punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Dedication

  To Dee and Nadine. You both supported Marko long before Prey ever came close to being published. The encouragement you gave when others thought it was a bad idea for me to take this route with my writing meant so much to me. Thank you for being there through the betas of each book, and for falling just as much in love with Marko as I did.

  To my street team AKA Alaska’s Sexy Subs. You ladies ROCK!! Thank you for all the promotions, for blasting each Marko cover on every post asking for them, and for voting and nominating. Your love for Marko means so much for me.

  And a special thanks to Nicole Johnson. Your love for the Marko series never once escaped my notice. <3

  Prologue

  Axis Headquarters—Aetas

  Stories were plentiful for our kind. The origins of how we came to be had been speculated on for as long as I could remember. It was once said that we were demons, reborn into this realm to corrupt the souls of weak mortals. To seduce the good and the noble. We’d change their path and take over not only the dark realms of existence, but spread our evil to walk amongst the living.

  The debate was never-ending and not worth the time to think about. There was no evidence, nor would there ever be of our birth. Love, hate---kindness and cruelty. We, vampires, had it all. Our actions were our own and the way I chose to rule would never be altered by fear of a higher power. God, the devil, neither existed that I was aware of. To me, I was both, and I challenged a power so great to stand against me. I controlled the fate of not only our kind, but of the world. I let them live or die—no one else. Me. It was all because of me. I was the ultimate ruler, the perfect balance. I was not pure of heart, nor was I opposed to the torturing of souls.

  “It is no secret why I gather you here tonight. One of our own is missing. A vampire of blood so powerful that his newborn status makes it imperative that he is returned to me as soon as possible. The threat he poses could change this world forever.”

  I stepped from my throne in the cathedral, scanning over the hundreds of eyes who stared up at me. Amongst the front, were what remained of my members. Behind them in rows on each side of the aisle, the rulers of our kind.

  My hand rose, and with it, the door to the holding chamber opened. Footsteps of the enforcers pounded against the silent room in a steady cadence. Whimpering and cries immediately echoed along the walls as they pulled Margo and Gina into the opened space. They tugged at the heavy shackles that kept their hands restrained behind their backs. In sliding motions, their feet fought to gain footing against the marble floors.

  Whispering began to buzz throughout the room as they were carried down the aisle.

  “Please. Pl-ease.” Margo’s eyes searched the crowd as both of the men on her side drug her closer. “He’s going to kill us all. You know I speak the truth. Please!” Her voice got louder as she neared. When her head jerked to a stop, her eyes flared. “Princess Tessalyn! Please, I beg of you!”

  A large hand settled on the Black Princess’s shoulder while she tightened her jaw repeatedly. She was here to bear witness to the sentencing of my former allies, as they all were. It still didn’t stop Marko, her mate, from feeling Tessalyn’s internal need to do something at the call for help.

  “Our leader’s intentions are not honorable,” Margo said, louder. “Dehlia saw it before her death! She saw Aetas leading us into a war we cannot win! Do not bring the vampire they call Hunter back to Headquarters. Do not give Aetas the tool that will destroy us! Kill the newborn! Kill Hunter!”

  I collected the energy around Margo with my mind, jerking her out of the enforcers’ arms to slide the ten feet that remained between us. Before she could gasp through the shock of what I’d done, I spun her around to face the room.

  “Betray me if you must,” I warned everyone, loudly. “But know that if you do, your fate will rest in my hands. I assure you that’s not a place you want to be.” I tore her head free of her body in one hard tug, lifting it for all to see. The flat band representing her status still rested on her forehead and blood dripped to the floor as I held tightly to her hair. My eyes stopped first on Marko Delacroix, and then the Black Princess, Tessalyn Delacroix. Tessalyn stood along the aisle on second row and Marko held rank beside her.

  “Status, bloodline, none of that will save you if you cross my path. The new Black Prince, Hunter Moretti, will be returned to me. Anyone who tries to stop that by attempting to harm him will feel my wrath.”

  I tossed Margo’s head off to the side and Gina’s cries were growing as she thrashed her shoulders back and forth in an attempt to break free. She was thrust in my direction at my nod and I spun her, wrapping one of my arms around her waist to make her face the crowd. I moved my lips in next to her ear while I went back to Princess Tesslyn’s narrowed eyes. I couldn’t deny my want of her. It ran just as deep as my desire to destroy her because of her love for Marko. They had something I never allowed myself and I couldn’t stand that she was being wasted on him. The taste I’d experienced of their passion while Tessa was staying here still stuck with me. It haunted me. For the first time since I had put my plan in motion, I began to question the path I had picked.

  As I kept the connection, anger sunk its hooks deeper. I wanted to push into her mind. To be able to whisper to Gina and have Tessalyn hear me as if I were speaking directly to her. It was impossible with her wearing my old crown. The protection I cloaked myself in against this very thing had carried over and now even I couldn’t break through. Tessalyn would be protected against any gift thrown her way and I doubted she even knew it.

  “Do you admit that when you closed my creation out into the sunlight that you were aware of who he was?”

  Gina’s shoulders sunk in and I awaited her pleas of forgiveness.

  “Yes, Aetas.”

  “You knew I made him and that he was Hunter Moretti?”

  She swallowed hard, her breathing picking up pace. “I did,” she said, shakily.

  “Are you also aware that he held the former Black Prince’s blood within his veins?”

  Gina grew still, only for a sob to cause her body to shake. She knew what I was implying.

  “I did, Master.”

  “So you admit to betraying your own kind and trying to murder royalty?”

  “He’s an abomination,” Gina exclaimed, loudly. “He’s going to end up killing us all, just like you are with your choice. There’s only one who is meant to lead! Princess!” The call for Tessalyn was the only plea that came from Gina. It drove my hands up to snap Gina’s neck. I twisted, giving one last forceful jerk to put an end to her life. The warmth coating my hands had me snarling.

  I dropped Gina’s decapitated body and my glare met Tessalyn’s head-on. She was angry, ready to fight just as much as I was. But the timing wasn’t right, and my fight wasn’t with her. War. It was coming. Not only to the humans, but first, with ourselves.

  Chapter 1

  Marko

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here before
I do something I shouldn’t.”

  My claws were descending the more I watched Aetas focus on Tessa. His hate toward her was obvious and it only seemed to be growing. It left me on guard—in a protective mode so strong that it was almost impossible for me not to act on.

  “Yes,” Tessa breathed out. “I want to leave. I wish we wouldn’t have had to come in the first place.”

  Her fingers wrapped along my lower bicep and she stepped into the aisle, giving me room to move around her. People were already departing. They appeared just as impatient as we were to escape the presence of our leader. But they didn’t have reason to fear him in the moment. Tessa and I on the hand, did.

  I moved around her, leading us toward the exit at a brisk walk. Stares were being cast our way. They pushed against me heavily from all sides and I ignored the need to see who was looking.

  “Princess Tessalyn Delacroix!”

  Aetas’ booming voice had my jaw and fists clenching. I came to a stop, regardless that I didn’t want to. Slowly, we turned around. Tessa’s grip on my arm was so tight that it had my pulse slamming into my chest. Rarely did she get anxious anymore. Feeling the nervousness from her now pulled out the mate in me, causing him to crash into me wildly while he begged to be set free.

  “Marie warned me about this. He’ll want to seek council.”

  My eyes cut over to her, regardless that we were communicating mentally. “You didn’t tell me that. He’s been denying you for weeks.”

  Aetas stood at the beginning of the aisle, closer than his previous place by the throne. He still appeared angry, yet there was an underlining of anxiousness. Almost as if he couldn’t keep in one place. He didn’t want her to leave. That was clear.

  “Why now?”

  “I’m not sure exactly.” Tessa tugged on my arm and I began to lead her back to him. The closer we got, the deeper Aetas’ breathing became. Warmth swirled in core, my powers surging as we neared.

  I brought us to a stop a few feet away and we both bowed our heads as custom.

  “I want my crown back.” The bitterness that fell from his lips accompanied with the volume had the vampires closest to us pausing to look over. Tessa’s head slowly rose and her arm dropped from me as she stood taller.

  “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I’m afraid that’s impossible. The crown has already chosen me. I can’t simply return it.”

  “Of course you can. Take it off and hand it over.”

  Tessa’s head cocked to the side the slightest amount. A laugh sounded in my mind regardless that her face was devoid of any expression.

  “He can’t read my thoughts and he can’t stand it.”

  Was that what it was? If I didn’t know better, I would have just assumed he was picking a fight.

  “Master,” Tessa began, calmly. “We both know I can’t do that. Besides, it goes against your own law. Are you saying you’re doing away with it now?”

  Aetas let out a growl. “Of course not.”

  Casually, Tessa’s hands went behind her back while she looked up through her lashes. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll give it back on one condition.”

  “What’s that?” A flicker of unease came across Aetas’ young features.

  “Trade me. Your crown for mine. It’s the only one I want besides my own.”

  Rage registered. “Absurd! This is my crown. Besides, you’re not worthy enough to wear it.”

  Silence played out as I looked between the two of them.

  “If you say so, Your Highness. Then you see why I can’t give it back. Is that all? I really need to be returning to my city.”

  “That is not all,” he ground out. “You requested council. I’m ready to meet with you now.”

  “Are you? But I received your response just last night. If I remember correctly, I believe it said, and I quote…there’s nothing you have to say worth listening to. Truth be told, I really guess there’s not. What is done, is done. I was trying to prevent this exact thing, but it’s impossible now. Hunter is changed and he’s on the loose. Our fate is yet to be seen. In the meantime, I wish to focus on my city. The attacks continue to increase and it requires all of my attention right now.”

  Aetas glanced at me, but went back to staring at her.

  “More so than increasing your skills?”

  I stiffened at his words. Tessa appeared calm, but I could feel her pulse hammering away in her chest. With the blood we shared, there was little I missed when it came to her moods or her body’s natural reactions.

  “Are you offering to start teaching me again—to prepare me to rule in your passing?”

  “I’m not dying,” Aetas snapped. “I may live for thousands of more years. Longer than you.” He sighed. “But I have considered teaching you again. You’re powerful, that’s not in question, but you’re too young to be ruling a city. You haven’t lived as a vampire long enough to know what is best to make decisions for a community. You need more experience. Let…Master Delacroix take over for you for now. You can have your old room back. You can start your lessons again.”

  Tessa’s energy spiked and I wasn’t sure what to think about it. Did the lessons appeal? I knew for most vampires, they’d jump at the opportunity to grow stronger, and she would, working with Aetas. It made me feel sick. I couldn’t lose her again. To be separate after we’d bonded and gotten so much closer…the thought was inconceivable.

  “What about Hunter? What happens with him?”

  There was hesitation as he stared at her.

  “I find him—he comes back. He can join you in discovering your gifts.”

  Tessa’s lips pressed together. “I’m honored by your offer, but I must decline at this time. I wish to stay with my husband and run my city. I believe I am more than capable, and our laws state that power rules over years of existence. And you’re right. You could be our leader for thousands of more years. We have plenty of time for lessons. If you’ll excuse us.”

  Tessa bowed and I suppressed my smile as I mirrored the gesture. Aetas didn’t speak as we turned and headed for the door. Again, eyes were on us as we made our way down the aisle. By the time we were sliding into the limo, I could barely contain my need to kiss her. The door shut and I pulled her into my arms.

  “I can’t believe you just did that. You know you pissed him off, yes?”

  A laugh drifted between us as I was already moving in to press my lips against hers. At the sweep of our tongues, she moaned, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “I may have angered him, but he went too far. First, trying to take my crown. Then, trying to get me to take lessons with Hunter. As if I could do either of those. I’d kill Hunter, or at least try to. He knows that.”

  I couldn’t resist kissing her again. “He does. But he can’t help but give you a hard time. He’s Aetas. He thinks he can control every aspect of our lives.”

  The limo started moving. My hand settled across the back of Tessa’s neck while I drew her in to deepen our kiss. Strands were escaping from the intricately mass of woven curls pinned at the back of her head. The tickling mingled with the butterflies that still fluttered in my stomach from her nearness.

  “I want to taste you,” I whispered, going back to duel with her tongue. “I don’t want to wait until tonight.”

  “Don’t let me stop you.”

  The voice had both me and Tessa’s heads turning to look further down the seat. Aetas sat there with a devious smile on his face. The threatening sound that left me was unstoppable.

  “Were we not finished talking?” Tessa eased from my lap, but sat against the side of my leg, staying close.

  “You walk a very thin line with me, Princess.” Anger once again seeped into his tone. “I offered you a gift and you denied my teachings, dismissing yourself from my presence. Do you not give regard to who I am? What you did is not done amongst vampires of any rank,” he roared.

  Tessa’s head lowered, but her eyes didn’t leave him. “You do not need anything from me, Aetas. You’ve made t
hat quite clear over the last few weeks. Your mind is set on Hunter—a human who killed me because of his hate for our kind. You turned him, despite the fact that he should have paid for his crimes. Instead of dying like our laws state, you gave him what should have been granted to me,” she said, getting louder. “Now you come back after I’ve settled in my city and you want me to leave my people and my husband to battle it out with Hunter, if and when, you find him? I don’t think so.”

  “Marko is your mate, not your husband. You are not human anymore.”

  Tessa’s back stiffened and I could feel her need to explode in argument. Her temper was rising, igniting my own.

  “Mate, husband, whatever you wish to call it, he is mine, regardless. I find it astonishing that out of everything I just said to you, that is what you respond with.”

  Aetas’ hand flicked through the air. “The rest is something I already know. It doesn’t deserve a response. It’s done. Hunter will benefit us. He’s a leader.”

  “He’s a murderer! He hates us and kills us off, and he will do it again. You think he will lead us, but he will not. He will pick us off one by one until we are no more. Mark my words,” Tessa said, leaning her upper body in his direction. “Hunter will not be one with us. His intentions will be that of when he was human. He poses a grave threat, Master. If you listen to anything I say at all, please hear me when I tell you, I know him. Hunter Moretti is a danger to all of us. He will come with everything he has. Marie Bardot has seen it.” She paused. “If you were smart, you’d be getting the other cities prepared for him and the humans he’ll win over. War is on us, Your Highness. Our survival will depend on you. I’m willing to die for my people. The only question is—Are you?”

  Chapter 2

  Tessa

  At Marko’s hand tightening on my hip, I knew I was going too far with my rant against our leader. But I couldn’t help it. For weeks I had waited to try to convince Aetas of Hunter. Of why he should choose me. It was all for nothing. He turned Hunter anyway, and now he was going to learn his mistake the hard way. Maybe at the price of each and every one of us.